13 Journaling Your Journey

Journaling Your Journey: Your Day to Day Observations and Events

This section is designed for you to have open journaling space. Sometimes we do not want to be asked questions as prompts to write. Sometimes we want to create a doodle, sketch, or piece of art. At times it may be difficult to know what to journal but it’s important to  “just journal” (as my friend used to say) “just tell me what you think, feel and how your body is today” (Janet). Though words and thoughts do not always flow right away, it is possible to write, create, be, and learn to love and care for yourself with kindness and self-compassion.

Some suggestions for journalling include writing lists of words about thoughts, or lists of things hoped for. Another thing to remember is to be kind to yourself and be compassionate. Sometimes we have difficulty sharing our emotions because acknowledging them is painful or associated with an event from the past. So, when we first begin to write, there might not have a flow to the writing. For example, we are often asked to describe our day or a few days. It sounds like – How is your day going?

This for some can be a hard question to answer. Yet, alongside a trusted listener there may be a time where you feel you can share your day’s events comfortabily. As you grow and learn to speak, it can be a time to share an honest assessment of what is working and what is not. Are there intrusive thoughts that you cannot control? Is there a need to control your food and fluid intake? Did you make a conscience effort to express your thoughts and emotions? When we reflect on our day at any given moment of time, we have to ask ourselves, how is it going?

Image description: a painting of a dove holding an olive branch.

What went well?

Give yourself credit for the hard work you are doing. No one said this process would be easy, but you tried. So record what went well.

What did not go well that I can change?

Not everything will go as planned. You made a concerted effort to do better and you did. Whatever part of your plan that did not go as predicted or anticipated, is a new learning experience. Remember you can’t change every detail, but you can record what you could have done differently. Remember this has to be something that is within your control. You have spent a lifetime avoiding your feelings, you won’t process or overcome them overnight.

What do you envision for tomorrow?

Open Journaling Space

Please share your thoughts and feelings below.